Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Chef Max here, ready to show you how to turn your ordinary pizza night into a LEGENDARY flavor adventure! This Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Pizza is about to make your taste buds absolutely EXPLODE with its epic combination of smoky, savory, and sweet notes. So let’s get this party started – your kitchen is about to become a flavor paradise!
Why You’ll Love This Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Pizza
This pizza is the ultimate in comfort food decadence! The rich, tender pulled pork is smothered in a tantalizing applewood smoke flavor, complemented by the sweetness of the barbecue sauce and the creamy, melty cheese. And let’s not forget the perfectly crisp pizza crust that ties everything together. It’s the kind of dish that will have your friends and family begging for seconds (and probably thirds!). Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home – no fancy equipment or culinary skills required. Trust me, this pizza is about to become a new family favorite!
Ingredients
The key to this epic pizza lies in the high-quality, bold-flavored ingredients. You’ll need a homemade or store-bought pizza dough, your favorite barbecue sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and of course, the star of the show – mouthwatering smoked applewood pulled pork. I also like to add a sprinkle of fresh green onions and a drizzle of tangy barbecue sauce on top for that extra pop of flavor.
- 1 lb – Homemade or store-bought pizza dough
- 1 cup – Barbecue sauce
- 2 cups – Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 lb – Smoked applewood pulled pork
- 2 tbsp – Sliced green onions
Ingredient Substitutions
- Applewood Smoked Pulled Pork: Regular pulled pork with 1-2 tsp of liquid smoke (to mimic the applewood flavor)
- Barbecue Sauce: Spicy chipotle or tangy honey mustard sauce (for those who don’t love barbecue)
How to Make Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Pizza
Let’s get this INSANE pizza party started, shall we?
Step 1: Prep Work
Let’s start by preheating your oven to a scorching 450°F. Then, roll out or stretch that pizza dough into your desired shape and size, making sure to get those edges nice and thin. Brush the dough with a light coating of olive oil to help it get that perfect crispy crust.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now it’s time to load up that pizza with all the epic flavors! Spread a generous layer of barbecue sauce over the dough, making sure to leave a little bit of room around the edges. Then, pile on the shredded applewood smoked pulled pork – I’m talking a mountain of that smoky, savory goodness. Top it all off with a hefty sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Slide that bad boy right into the oven and let it work its magic for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Just wait until you see (and smell!) the results – it’s going to be INSANE!
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once it’s out of the oven, let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes, then drizzle on some extra barbecue sauce and sprinkle with sliced green onions. The flavors are about to explode in your mouth!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Bacon Bits: For a delicious bacon twist, sprinkle on some crispy bacon bits.
- Spicy Jalapeños: Add sliced jalapeños for a fiery kick.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with sharp cheddar or smoked gouda for a more intense cheese flavor.
- Homemade BBQ Sauce: Make your own barbecue sauce for an extra-special touch.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: A fresh, crisp salad or some garlic knots for the ultimate pizza night.
Storage: Leftover pizza will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. It also reheats beautifully in the oven or air fryer.
Reheat: For best results, reheat the pizza in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until hot and crispy.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the pizza dough and assemble the toppings a few days in advance, then bake just before serving.
Nutrition Information
This Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Pizza is a flavor explosion, but it’s also got a pretty impressive nutritional profile. Each slice packs in around 350 calories, 18g of protein, and 14g of carbs. Not too shabby for a dish this EPIC, right?
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 14 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular pulled pork instead of the smoked applewood variety?
Absolutely! As I mentioned earlier, you can easily substitute regular pulled pork and just add a bit of liquid smoke to mimic the applewood flavor.
How can I make this pizza extra spicy?
For a fiery twist, try adding sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce on top. You can also use a spicy barbecue sauce or sprinkle on some crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I make this pizza ahead of time?
Yes, you can definitely prepare the pizza dough and even assemble the toppings ahead of time. Just wait to bake it until you’re ready to serve. The uncooked pizza will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How do I know when the pizza is done?
The pizza is ready when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also check the bottom of the crust to make sure it’s crispy and cooked through.
Can I use a pre-made pizza crust instead of making my own?
Absolutely! Using a store-bought crust is a total time-saver. Just be sure to follow the package instructions for pre-baking the crust before adding the toppings.
Try These Next
- Smoky Applewood Pulled Pork Sliders With Tangy Bbq Sauce
- Applewood Smoked Bbq Ribs With Maple Glaze
- Smoky Bbq Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Smoky and Succulent Applewood Pulled Pork Pizza
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Smoked Applewood Pulled Pork Pizza combines the rich, smoky flavor of pulled pork with a delicious pizza crust, topped with tangy barbecue sauce and melted cheese. Perfect for a game day feast or a casual dinner party.
Ingredients
2 cups pulled pork
1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup sliced red onion
¼ cup sliced pickles
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
3. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza stone or baking sheet.
4. Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Spread a layer of barbecue sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Evenly distribute the pulled pork over the barbecue sauce.
7. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pulled pork.
8. Add sliced red onion and pickles on top of the cheese.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
10. Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, slice, and serve.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can smoke the pulled pork yourself using applewood chips.
Feel free to customize toppings based on your preferences, such as jalapeños or different types of cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: 🔥 FIRE ZONE
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg